Whitney Houston was a young lady from the projects who exuded poise and grace. While her surname granted her opportunity, her talent established her as a star. Simply known as “The Voice” with awe-inspiring beauty and a bold personality Whitney Houston was what every singer succeeding her aspired to be.

I chose early footage of the fallen star to remember her for the reasons we all fell in love with her; in the words of long time friend and Producer, Clive Davis Whitney Houston was “Elegant, sensuous, innocent, an incredible range of talent with guts & soul”. The interview below shows how a young Whitney asserted herself early in her career addressing rumors without taking offense, upholding responsibility as a role model, and citing her mother Cissy as her biggest inspiration.

“My mother would say I don’t care what you sing, as long as you sing about love, it’s alright”

May she rest in peace.